NOAA Fisheries Aquaculture staff discussing oyster farming strategies with stakeholders near Juneau, Alaska.
Credit: NOAA Fisheries
The last time the United States released a National Aquaculture Development Plan was in 1983. Now, more than forty years later, the US has an updated plan, with the final version released this week.
Announcing the news, NOAA Fisheries said the plan "will strengthen U.S. commitment to food security, climate resilience, and the protection of threatened and endangered marine and freshwater species".
"In a changing climate, aquaculture is becoming increasingly important as a climate-smart and healthy means of food production. Seafood farming, if done responsibly—as it is in the United States—is one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce healthy food," NOAA Fisheries stated in a news release.
NOAA emphasised the additional important role of aquaculture in fisheries restoration, with hatchery-reared fish released into the wild to support recovery of wild marine species.
"Aquaculture has helped more than 70 endangered or threatened species, including Pacific Salmon, white abalone, and queen conch. In addition, it’s helped restore habitats and mitigate the impacts of climate change," the NOAA statement continued.
The updated National Aquaculture Development Plan comprises four strategy documents which have been in the process of preparation, consultation and approval for a number of years.
In 2022, the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture and the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research were completed and published, and earlier in 2024, the draft Overview of the National Aquaculture Development Plan was released for public comment. Now the remaining document, the Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development, has also been finalized and released.
The strategy documents, NOAA says, "comprise an updated National Aquaculture Development Plan that provides a holistic framework describing how federal agencies are advancing the contributions of aquaculture to support public health and nutrition, resilient communities, a strong economy, and a healthy planet."